FOUNDING OPERATIONS MANAGER

Little Water Prep (LWP), a growing K-5 public charter school in Poughkeepsie, New York, invites dedicated, detail-and results oriented leaders to apply to the position of Founding Back-End Operations Manager. Little Water Prep is founded on the belief that like water, all our scholars are essential and capable of taking on whatever shape and can excel academically when in environments that are challenging, affirming, and loving. We project to serve over 300 students in the Poughkeepsie City School District over the next five years. We are looking for a passionate, business-minded Back-End Operations Manager who will take part in creating a school environment where our scholars can thrive.

JOB SUMMARY

As the Back-End Operations Manager, you are responsible for coordinating and executing the day-to-day operations of Little Water Prep. You will report directly to the Head of School. Your core responsibility will be executing the operational vision of the Head of School. You will relentlessly work to ensure that all school operation functions are performed with diligence and fidelity so that students are able to thrive academically and socially in our school environment and teachers can focus on student learning and outcomes.

The LWP Operations Team consists of 2 Office Managers that split the operational responsibilities. We are currently hiring for a Back-End Operations Manager to manage the following Key Responsibilities: Student Systems, Finance and Accounting, Facilities, Technology,

Transportation, HR/Staff Support. The “Back-End Operations Manager” will work tirelessly behind the scenes to ensure seamless school operations.

Key Responsibilities

Student Systems: Arrival, Lunch, Dismissal
● Manage the preparation and execution of key student systems including arrival, lunch, and dismissal. Manage accurate systems documentation that reflects efficient and safe procedures for student systems.

● Ensure that student/staff spaces are prepared for daily execution of key student student systems: ensuring that the school space/cafeteria is clean and prepared for daily food distribution; ensuring that the school grounds/building is prepared for student arrival and secured following student dismissal.

● Work closely with School Food vendors to ensure accurate and efficient food distribution. Ensure families receive accurate School Food communication regarding menus.

● Work closely with the Head of School to ensure that LWP meets 100% compliance protocols for city, state, and federal School Food requirements.

Finance, Accounting, Inventory and Purchasing
● Work with the Head of School to ensure spending is within the school budget allocated line items.
● Coordinate payroll and acts as the primary liaison with the back-office provider for the day-to-day-management of the budget, payroll, purchasing procedures, tracking and financial reporting

● Maintain accurate records of all financial transactions, including uploading all receipts/invoices to a secure online folder and ensuring weekly posting to the 3rd party financial vendor invoicing systems.

● Participate in monthly meetings to review and account for budget variances; monitor usage of the school budget line.

● Ensure adherence to financial protocols, as dictated by the primary finance advisor/vendor.

● Maintain consistent communication with all school vendors. Ensure accurate accounts, timely procurement and payment, and to the extent necessary, appropriate vendor management.

● Coordinate all necessary procurement transactions, including accurate and up-to-date inventory for all school inventory (main office supplies and teacher/student supplies).

Facilities
● Manages coordination of all daily facility related operational tasks of the school building.
● Oversee facility wear and tear and make recommendations for facility improvements.
● Manage building maintenance and support the custodial staff to ensure the school building is clean and safe on a daily basis.
● Ensure that shared facility spaces (offices, hallways, classrooms) have adequate/functional furniture to support school functions.
● Execute the Head of School vision for Visual Culture, ensuring the hallways, office spaces, and classrooms reflect a joyful academic environment for all LWP staff and students.

Technology
● Serve as the point person for 3rd party technology vendors, working closely with the vendor to ensure that all LWP technology is 100% functional and operational.

● Oversee asset management for student and staff laptops and classroom technology

(overhead projectors, doc cams, smartboards).

● Ensure the Main Office and teacher work spaces are equipped with technology-related resources, as requested by the Head of School (laminators, poster printers, etc)

● Manage the vendor relationship for copiers and printers. Ensure that LWP has functional copiers and printers. Troubleshoot and resolve any technology-related issues with copiers and printers.

Transportation
● Effectively communicate with transportation services to ensure accurate and timely transportation routes for all students.
● Manage the transportation vendor/bus service relationship.
● Ensure all transportation related invoices are paid on-time.

Human Resources/Staff Support
● Ensure school-wide compliance with HR related requirements: staff fingerprints, teacher certification, I9 documentation, and all federal and state workplace regulations .
● Serve as a HR point person for basic HR paperwork, procedures and compliance. Work closely with HR service provider and Head of School to appropriately escalate HR issues/concerns., procedures, and paperwork; ensure compliance with all laws and regulations.

● Support the Head of School with staff-related Professional Development projects, including: preparing staff PD materials (copies, powerpoints), preparation and clean-up of staff PD sessions (food, furniture, technology), and other staff PD tasks, as assigned.

Key Qualifications & Competencies

Education
● Bachelor’s Degree Required, Accounting/Finance preferred. Will consider commensurate work experience in lieu of accounting/finance education focus.

Work Experience
● Operational experience. Preferably operational experience in a school setting, but equivalent operational and business experience will be considered in lieu of school-specific work experience.

● Results-driven business experience in finance and operations.
● Demonstrated work experience in an administrative setting.
● Demonstrated work experience that requires strong organizational skills, time management skills, and communication skills.
● Demonstrated work experience analyzing data and leveraging data to inform decision-making processes.
● Strong writing skills (ability to communicate clearly and persuasively via written communication for 1:1, small group, and large audiences).

Mindset and Attitude

● Commitment to uphold and execute upon the mission of Little Water Prep.
● Enthusiasm for work, and ability to motivate and unite others in the work.
● Willingness to accept feedback and commitment to continued professional growth.
● Strong personal and professional integrity.
● Strong commitment to anti-racist and culturally responsive practices and identity affirming systems, routines, and procedures.
● Ability to communicate with diverse individuals

Salary and Benefits

Little Water Prep offers a competitive salary, comprehensive health benefits, and retirement benefits. Aside from extensive professional development, all of our staff members are equipped with a laptop computer, email, high-speed internet access, and all necessary instructional supplies.

Start Date
ASAP

Schedule

● Year-round position with general day hours of 7:00am-5:00pm. Please note: the start time is non-negotiable.

● After-hours and weekend events will be required and communicated in advance.
● Full time, Non-exempt, 12- months.

Commitment to Anti-Racist Practices and Policies
Little Water Prep is an equal opportunity employer and actively encourages applications from people or all backgrounds. Little Water Prep commits to dismantling systems designed to impede on the progression of all undervalued and underserved peoples and to unlearn divisive ways of thinking to adopt an intersectional understanding of our society to promote the liberation of all people and communities. Little Water Prep consistently addresses and challenges racism, oppressive practices, and all forms of prejudice that plague our communities.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $55,000.00 - $80,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• Day shift
• Monday to Friday
• Weekends as needed

Work Location: In person